Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Abstract

Three focus groups of ninth-grade Méxican American students explored the factors contributing to a pro-college culture. The students participated in the federal initiative program called “Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs.” Analysis revealed specific student, family, peer, and school personnel influences toward a pro-college culture. The focus groups allowed for examining differences between the groups of students at varying risk of not attending college. Implications for school personnel are discussed.

Tres grupos de enfoque con estudiantes México Americanos en noveno grado (tercero de secundaria) exploraron los factores contribuyentes a una cultura pro-universitaria. Los estudiantes eran participantes en el programa de iniciativa federal llamado Obteniendo Conocimiento y Preparación Temprana para Programas Universitarios. Análisis revelaron específicas influencias del estudiante, la familia, los compañeros y el personal escolar las cuales forman una cultura pro-universitaria. Los grupos de enfoque permitieron examinar las diferencias entre los grupos de estudiantes de acuerdo a riesgos variados para no ir a la universidad. Se discuten implicaciones para personal escolar.

Keywords

Mexican American adolescent pro-college culture GEAR UP

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Alva, S.A. ( 1995). Academic invulnerability among Mexican-American students: The importance of protective resources and appraisals. In A. Padilla (Ed.), Hispanic psychology: Critical issues in theory and research (pp. 288-302). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Ceja, M. ( 2004). Chicana college aspirations and the role of parents: Developing educational resiliency. Journal of Hispanic Higher Education, 3, 338-362.

Cook, B.J. , & Córdova, D.I. (2007). Minorities in higher education twenty-second annual status report: 2007 supplement. Washington, DC: American Council on Education.

Darder, A. ( 1994). Institutional research as a tool for cultural democracy . New Directions for Institutional Research, 81, 21-34.

Erickson, F. ( 1986). Qualitative methods in research on teaching. In M. C. Wittrock (Ed.), Handbook of research on teaching (3rd ed., pp. 119-161). New York: Macmillan.

Glaser, B.G. , & Strauss, A.L. ( 1967). The discovery of grounded theory: Strategies for qualitative research. New York: Aldine.

Goodenow, C. ( 1992). Strengthening the links between educational psychology and the study of social contexts. Educational Psychologist , 27, 177-196.

Goodenow, C. ( 1993). Classroom belonging among early adolescent students: Relationships to motivation and achievement. Journal of Early Adolescence, 13, 21-43.

Horn, L.J. , Chen, X. , & Adelman, C. ( 1998). Toward resiliency: At-risk students who make it to college . Washington DC: U.S. Department of Education, Office of Educational Research and Improvement.

10.

Johnson, B. , & Christensen, L. (2004). Educational research: Quantitative, qualitative, and mixed approaches (2nd ed.). Boston: Pearson Education.

11.

Pérez, P.A. , & McDonough, P.M. (2008). Understanding Latina and Latino college choice: A social capital and chain migration analysis. Journal of Hispanic Higher Education, 7, 249-265.

12.

Sánchez, B. , Reyes, O. , & Singh, J. ( 2005). Makin it in college: The value of significant individuals in the lives of Mexican American adolescents. Journal of Hispanic Higher Education, 5, 48-67.

13.

Strauss, A.L. ( 1987). Qualitative analysis for social scientists. New York: Cambridge University Press.

14.

Strauss, A. , & Corbin, J. ( 1990). Basics of qualitative research: Grounded theory procedures and techniques. Newbury Park, CA: Sage.

15.

Thorngren, J.M. , Nelson, M.D. , & Baker, L.J. ( 2004, March 4). School counseling programs: Comparing GEAR UP schools with non-GEAR UP schools. Journal of School Counseling . Retrieved October 22, 2008, from http://www.jsc.montana.edu/articles/v2n2.pdf

16.

U. S. Census Bureau. (2006). Current population survey: Annual social and economic supplement 2006. Retrieved October 17, 2008, from http://www.census.gov/population/socdemo/hispanic/cps2006/CPS_Powerpoint_2006.pdf

17.

U. S. Census Bureau. (2007). The American community: Hispanics: 2004. Retrieved October 17, 2008, from http://www.census.gov/prod/2007pubs/acs-03.pdf

Mexican American Adolescents’ Perceptions of a Pro-College Culture

Abstract

Keywords

Get full access to this article

References